Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) poses a considerable threat to a diverse array of crops in global agriculture. CMV impacts commercially important cut lilies by diminishing both yield and flower quality. We used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to investigate the changes in gene expression in the leaves and bulbs of four distinct cultivars of cut lily, ‘Cancun,’ ‘Brunello,’ ‘Connecticut King,’ and ‘Casa Blanca’ following CMV infection. Notably, CMV affected photosynthetic processes by significantly downregulating genes associated with photosynthesis. In addition, CMV infection was detrimental to chloroplast function and energy production. We observed differential expression of genes associated with both dominant and recessive resistance pathways that are crucial for preventing virus entry, replication, and systemic spread within the plant. Based on functional annotation and differential gene expression analysis, we identified the regulatory genes involved in triggering immune responses, modulating signal transduction, and specific host factors during CMV infection. To validate the RNA-seq findings, we selected four genes involved in resistance, virus multiplication, and virus spread and analyzed them using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) with specific primers. The qRT-PCR results aligned closely with those from RNA-seq, showing consistent fold-change responses for the genes that were differentially expressed, indicating that the RNA-seq results were reliable. These results deepen our understanding of the complex genetics behind plant-virus interactions while also providing information for breeding programs that aim to develop CMV-resistant lily cultivars.

This study investigated the growth dynamics of Lilium miquelianum bulb scales cultured in four different media formulations: Full Murashige-Skoog (FMS), Half Murashige-Skoog (HMS), Anderson Vitamin (AV), and Knudson Vitamin (KV). Bulb scales were collected from native populations on Jeju Island, Korea, and cultured in vitro for 12 weeks. Growth parameters, including bulb area and scale count, were measured at 3-week intervals. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in growth rates across media types and time points. FMS consistently demonstrated the highest growth rates and final bulb area and scale count, while KV exhibited the lowest performance. Heatmap analysis showed that FMS achieved the highest weekly growth rates in most time points, with HMS showing comparable performance during early growth stages. Individual sample growth rates varied within media, highlighting the influence of both external and internal factors on growth. Correlation analysis revealed a positive association between bulb size and scale quantity, with FMS exhibiting the strongest relationship. These findings emphasize the importance of appropriate media selection for optimal L. miquelianum propagation, with FMS being the most suitable for extended cultivation. This research provides valuable insights for improving propagation efficiency and conservation efforts of L. miquelianum.

Polyploidization, or genome doubling, has a significant impact on plant speciation and adaptation, and it is commonly used in agriculture to improve crop traits. In this study, we investigated the induction of polyploidy in three wild Allium species native to Korea: A. senescens and A. spirale Willd. and A. taquetii, using colchicine treatments tailored to meet specific experimental requirements. By avoiding tissue culture methods, we developed a more accessible, cost-effective, and scalable approach to polyploidization. Our research demonstrated that polyploid Allium plants exhibit distinct phenotypic changes, such as reduced growth rates and increased stomatal size. Flow cytometry and chromosome counting confirmed the successful induction of polyploidy, with clear peaks indicating double DNA content and stable chromosome numbers in polyploid plants. The presence of B chromosomes in A. spirale Willd. following polyploidization suggest interesting genetic dynamics. Despite the initial growth lags, polyploid plants may offer enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and resilience under optimal conditions. This study highlights the potential of polyploidization to improve ornamental traits in Allium species, thereby contributing to the diversification and sustainability of ornamental plant offerings. Future research should focus on the long-term performance and ecological adaptability of polyploid Allium species to fully harness their horticultural potential.

백합 종간 교잡종은 다양한 교배 방법에 의해 생산되어지 고 있다. 그러나 이들 종간 교잡종은 대부분 불임이다. 2n gametes는 백합에서 종간 교잡종 F1의 불임을 극복할 수 있 을 뿐 아니라 우수한 유전형질을 지닌 2n과의 교배에 이용할 수 있고 후대 다양한 유전형질을 기대할 수 있다. 따라서 본 실험에서는 가장 효과적으로 2n gametes를 생산할 수 있는 방법을 구축하기 위하여 백합 Oriental hybrids ‘Medusa’와 ‘Marco Polo’에 N2O를 처리하였다. 같은 Oriental 그룹 내 에서도 ‘Medusa’와 ‘Marco Polo’는 화뢰 크기별 감수분열 시기가 달랐다. 감수분열 tetrad 시기에 염색체를 관찰한 결 과 sequential spindles, tripolar spindles에 의해 2가지 다른 형태가 관찰되었다. ‘Medusa’에서 2atm의 N2O를 처리 한 화뢰 길이 10~15mm와 20~25mm에서 monad, dyad, triad, tetrad가 관찰되었다. 그러나 4atm에서는 tetrad 이외에는 검경 되지 않았다. ‘Marco polo’의 경우 화뢰 길 이 10~15mm, 25~30mm 시기에 2, 4atm의 N2O를 12, 24 시간 동안 처리한 구에서 모두 dyad, triad가 관찰되었다. ‘Medusa’, ‘Marco Polo’ 모두 dyad, triad, tetrad가 관찰 된 시기는 대조구에서 interphase와 metaphase Ⅰ에 해당 하는 시기이다. 화분의 모양은 타원형으로 처리 전·후 변화가 없었으며 처리 후 화분의 크기는 n 보다 큰 화분뿐 아니라 작 은 화분도 관찰되어 전체적으로 다양했다. 화분의 임성과 발 아율은 처리구별로 차이가 없었으나 평균적으로 처리 후가 무처리구보다 임성은 약 10%, 발아는 약 20% 정도 떨어졌다. ‘Medusa’와 ‘Marco Polo’를 이용하여 N2O를 처리한 것과 처리하지 않은 것을 정역 교배하였을 때 자방이 비대 되는 형 태가 2가지이었으나 처리 별 차이는 아니었다. 획득된 식물체 를 Flow cytometry로 검정한 결과, 무처리 ‘Marco Polo’와 2atm 24시간 32mm에 처리한 ‘Medusa’의 교배를 통해 하 나의 식물체에서 2배체와 3배체가 모두 나오는 mixoploid를 확인할 수 있었다. 그 외 실험을 통해 얻은 식물체 중에서 이 수체가 4개 발견되었다. 확실한 3배체를 가진 식물체는 관찰 할 수 없었다.